Adrift in a Boat | Page 4

heard, and I do not suppose any one
knows where we are." By this time they had got to the inner end of the
rock, where they found that the distance between them and the shore
was not only considerable, but that a strong current swept round the
rock, and that though before the sea had been calm, it had got up
somewhat, and caused a surf to break on the shore. What was to be
done? David was a first-rate swimmer, and would not have had much
difficulty by himself in stemming the current, and landing through the
surf; but Harry, though a sailor, had not learned that art before he went
to sea, and could swim very little. It is extraordinary how many sailors
in those days could not swim, and lost their lives in consequence. They
stood looking at the foaming, swirling waters, not knowing what to do.
"I would try it," said Harry at length, "but I am afraid if I were to give
in that I should drown you as well as myself."
"I think that I might support you, and we should drift in somewhere a
little further down, perhaps," said David.
"Much more likely that we should be swept out to sea," answered Harry.
"No, no, David, that will never do. You can swim on shore before the
surf gets heavier, and your father or Captain Rymer will send a boat for
me very soon."
"But these are spring tides, and if the sea gets up at all, it will soon
wash right over this rock," said David.
"The more reason for you to hurry to get a boat from the yachts,"
observed the midshipman.

While they were speaking, they observed the two yachts, which had
hitherto been hid by a point of land, standing out to sea. They had come
from the east with a fine northerly smooth water breeze, but the wind
had drawn off shore to the east, and as the tide was at flood running up
channel, the vessels had stood off shore to get the full strength of it.
This the boys at once understood, but how they should have gone off
without them was the puzzle. Matters were growing serious. Even
should David reach the shore, he might not find a boat, and it was a
long way he feared from any house where he could get help, so that
Harry might be lost before he could get back. They retraced their steps
to the highest part of the rock, and waved and shouted, even though
they knew that their voices could not be heard, but the yachts stood on
at some distance from each other; it should be remarked, Captain
Rymer's leading. It was evident that they were not seen. The hot tide
came rushing in, rising higher and higher. Both the boys became very
anxious, David more on his friend's account than his own. So many
persons have lost their lives much in the same way, that it seemed
probable the two boys would lose theirs.
We must now go back to the picnic party. Mr Sowton and Mr Burnaby,
and a few of the other more elderly ladies and gentlemen, began at
length to think it time to return home. The hampers were repacked and
carried, some up the cliffs by the servants, and others on board the
yachts; and Mr Sowton and Billy Burnaby acting, as they said, as
whippers-in, began shouting and screeching at the top of their voices.
Captain Rymer and Mr Moreton had gone on board their vessels to get
ready, and thus there was no one actually in command. The boats to
take off the party were rather small, and several trips had to be made. In
the meantime, those who were returning home by land climbed up the
steep path to the top of the cliff, where their carriages were waiting for
them. When they were fairly off, each party inquired what had become
of Harry and David. Captain Rymer's yacht, the Arrow, was off the first,
for the Psyche, Mr Moreton's, fouled her anchor, and it was some time
before it could be got up.
Mr Moreton thought that his son, and the young midshipman had,
attracted by sweet Mary Rymer, gone on board the Arrow; while Mary,

who, it must be owned, was rather sorry not to see them, took it for
granted that Harry was returning, as he had come, by land, and that
David had gone with him.
The yachts had a long beat back. As they got away from the land, the
wind increased very much, and came in strong sharp cold gusts which
made it necessary first to take in the gaff-topsails, and then one reef and
then another in the mainsails. As the